Speed limit on I-355 stretch goes to 65 mph today

The speed limit for cars on the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) between I-55 and I-80 will increase to 65 mph today as new signs are installed, the Illinois Tollway announced.

Raising the speed limit on I-355 will make it compatible with the 65 mph limit already in place on I-80 where it intersects with I-355, the tollway said.

The existing 55 mph speed limit will continue to apply to trucks in this section, as well as all other Illinois interstates in the metropolitan area including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, Lake and McHenry counties.

The tollway said the decision to raise the speed limit followed a formal review process, including an engineering study approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), coordination with Illinois State Police, and approval by the tollway's board of directors.

The review considered numerous factors including the design speed of the highway segment, traffic speed, traffic volume, crash history, congestion and interchange spacing.

In addition, the state's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules considered the tollway's plan last month and did not issue any objection. The decision is also in keeping with Federal Highway Administration methodologies for determining speed limits on interstate highways, the tollway said.

"We are pleased that this new section of roadway built as part of our Congestion-Relief Program will be used at its full capacity," tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said in a statement. "This speed limit increase will help our customers reach their destinations faster, ultimately saving them time spent on the road."

Illinois State Police District 15 Commander John Jesernik said state police will be enforcing the new speed limit. "It is recommended that drivers move at the same pace as other traffic, within the speed limit, and slower moving vehicles should stay to the right."

The tollway said the speed limit for cars and trucks throughout the majority of the tollway system is 55 mph A 65 mph limit for cars is in place on the east end of the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) north of Highway 173, on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) west of Highway 56, and on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) west of Randall Road.

Large trucks are allowed to drive 65 mph on I-90 from approximately mile post 49 near Belvidere to the Wisconsin state line, and on I-88 from approximately mile post 99 in DeKalb and west through the IDOT portion of I-88, the tollway said.